Cowabunga Bay business making a splash in Henderson

Cowabunga Bay business making a splash in Henderson

Venessa Wilson, right, and her daughter Ava Wilson, 7, ride in a double tube as they float with others in the wave pool during the opening day of Cowabunga Bay in Henderson on Friday, July 4, 2014. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Cowabunga Bay business making a splash in Henderson

Cousins Lauren Ortiz, left, and Hope Croegaert hold on to each other as they float on tubes in the wave pool during the opening day of Cowabunga Bay in Henderson on Friday, July 4, 2014. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Cowabunga Bay business making a splash in Henderson

Lifeguard Alanis Brea keeps her eyes on the guests during the opening day of Cowabunga Bay in Henderson on Friday, July 4, 2014. After several delays the water park opened with 25 water slides and attractions. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Cowabunga Bay business making a splash in Henderson

Andrew Huskey, center, lies on his back after finishing first on the Surfin' USA mat racer slide during the opening day of Cowabunga Bay in Henderson on Friday, July 4, 2014. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Cowabunga Bay business making a splash in Henderson

Andrew Huskey, center, leads his friends as he heads down the Surfin' USA mat racer slide during the opening day of Cowabunga Bay in Henderson on Friday, July 4, 2014. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Cowabunga Bay business making a splash in Henderson

Ernest Hall of North Las Vegas celebrates his victory down the Surfin' USA mat racer slide during the opening day of Cowabunga Bay in Henderson on Friday, July 4, 2014. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

By CAITLYN BELCHERView Staff Writer

Cowabunga Bay Water Park, 900 Galleria Drive, opened July 4 and has provided residents with a fun way to beat the heat, according to general manager Shane Huish.

“Business has been great,” he said. “We’re very pleased with the response we’ve gotten. It’s gone really smooth.”

Sitting on 23 acres, the park is home to water slides, a wave pool, lazy river and kids’ cove.

“We’ve been doing some fine-tuning since we opened,” Huish said. “We’ve had to make adjustments to slides that were too fast. Some of the waves in the wave pool were too aggressive. Things of that nature.”

Huish’s family owns the Cowabunga Bay Water Park in Draper, Utah, which opened in 2009. He served as the general manager in Draper for six years before transferring to Henderson.

“There’s quite a bit of difference between the two parks,” Huish said. “First of all, the park in Draper is only about 2 acres big, and they only have about 130 employees. Here, we have over 500 employees. Those differences alone are huge.”

Despite a six-week delay in the grand opening, Huish said customer feedback has been mostly positive.

“Everyone, including myself, is really excited to see the park grow,” he said. “Whenever we receive good suggestions, we try to incorporate them.”

Henderson resident Dyanna Legory visited the park July 20 after watching its construction from her neighborhood across the street.

Although some slides weren’t finished, the Las Vegas native said she’s glad it finally opened.

“It reminded me of the old-school Wet ‘n’ Wild,” Legory said. “I think Cowabunga Bay has a ton of potential, and it might top the new Wet ‘n’ Wild once everything is finished.”

The 31-year-old enjoyed the park’s no smoking policy, free tubes and life jackets and reasonable concession prices.

“My only complaint is that there are inconsistencies regarding weight limits,” Legory said. “The general weight limit is posted outside as 260 pounds, but inside, certain slides were posted under 230 or 250. One was even posted between 130 and 230.”

In a statement published on the Cowabunga Bay Facebook page, park officials said the weight limit inconsistency was temporary.

“Currently all our slides, except for one, have a 260-pound maximum weight limit for single riders and a 440-pound for double riders,” the update read. “We are making adjustments to one slide, and until those modifications are complete the slide has a weight maximum of 180.”

Legory noted that most employees seemed to be teenagers but said the customer service was great.

“It’s worth checking out for people who haven’t been,” she said. “I’m not sure I’ll go back this year unless it’s by the request of my kids, but I will most definitely be back next season.”

Huish said the park is expected to expand and add more attractions by next season.

“The park is a new summer hangout for Henderson residents,” Huish said. “It offers a unique and memorable family experience. We’ve got something here for everyone.”

Cowabunga Bay is set to be open daily until Sept. 1 and weekends through Oct. 12. General admission costs $34.99 for adults and $27.99 for children shorter than 48 inches.

For more information, visit cowabungabay.com/lasvegas or call 702-850-9000.

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